Jeanie Buss Responds To Claims LeBron James Will Make Lakers Basketball Decisions Over Magic Johnson

Over the past few seasons, LeBron James developed a reputation as being the ‘general manager’ while with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team obviously had someone with that title, but many believed that James was who made decisions on trades and signings of free agents.

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss disagrees, however. During a recent appearance on “Willard and Plaschke,” Buss made it clear that basketball decisions run through Johnson and at his discretion:

“When you talk about who’s running the basketball side of the Lakers, Magic Johnson is the head of basketball. He makes all basketball decisions. He is the one that laid down the path that led to bringing LeBron here, he is at the top of the organizational chart when it comes to basketball, and he’s done a fantastic job.”

It is normal for any front office to talk to a star player about potential personnel moves as the hope is that they are a good fit. Asking for a player’s input, however, doesn’t mean that what they want will be done. The front office will ultimately have final say.

Ever since sweeping changes in the Lakers basketball operations department, Buss, Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka have been on the same page. The addition of James has not changed that in any way.